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5720 keyboard problem

Can someone please compare their keyboard to mine? I've mentioned this before and everyone says a notebooks keyboard is supposed to flex a little - which I'm aware of - trouble is, there is one area of my keyboard where the flex is just too much.

It's the area approximatly bounded by the F10 and DEL keys at the top, and the L and Enter keys at the bottom.

This whole area flexes much more than the rest of the keyboard and to be honest it feels totally HOLLOW here. Not good! The rest of the keyboard feels really solid and the keys make a nice healthy keyboard sound when you press them - in comparison, my + and - keys make a completely different sound - more of a THUNK.

Sager have been completely unhelpful with my enquiry and reeled off some crap about the keyboard locks not being set - but I checked, and they are. This problem is really bugging me - the whole computer feels solid and well built apart from this area of the keyboard and it feels like an overzealous hit could see my finger crashing right through to the motherboard.

I'd be interested to hear from other 5720 users, particularly if their + and - keys (for example) make a hollow THUNK sound like mine!

I had a similar problem with my keyboard. There was some flex near the number 7 and 8 keys. I solved it by pressing down between the keys until the lock snapped into place. I'm a keyboard perfectionist, so flex is a BIG issue with me. If it really bothers you, see if your reseller will send a replacement. It's easy to swap out a keyboard.

Hmm, I don't think that would solve my problem. The lock where the flex is appears to be set - at least I presume it is, the little tab is showing and I can push it back (I presume to unlock), after which it springs back.

It just feels like there is nothing under that part of the keyboard.

Maybe I will call Powernotebooks tomorrow.

I'd hate to have to send the thing back! Sager will insist on using UPS ground and I'll be sans 5720 for at least a week...

Just had a reply from Sager in response to another email I sent them about keyboard flex - the guy says he checked some other 5720s there and they all seem to have more bounce and flex around the backspace area. He told me that I could put a small pad underneath this area and he could mail one to me.

I'd still like to hear from other 5720 owners regarding this part of the keyboard - I just looked at my old burned out cheapo Compaqs (yuk) and their keyboards seem to feel a lot more solid with less flex - and the flex is the same all over. Very suprised to see so much flex on my $2300 baby!

So anyway - a question for those more experienced than me. I have no technical experience at all with laptop keyboards, especially removing and reinstalling them. Is it a fiddly process and is it something that carries a risk of damage to the computer in any way? And do I need a particular tool to do it?

Also - I heard someone recently metion that fact that IBooks have a rubber mat under the keyboard, which gives them their soft feel. As I may be opening the keyboard, is this something that could be done with the Sager?